Merrie Ferrin falls in love with Ethan Morehouse with whom she has gone to school. Despite Ethan's intelligence, his abusive father, Lester, will not send him away for more education. The result is that the two young people throw etiquette to the wind and meet in their "secret" place to discuss their problems in life. This closeness brings about a true love affair. Ethan knows he wants to marry her one day, but there are significant obstacles. The Civil War is raging which provides Merrie's family and their boarders with conversation. Merrie's young uncle, who is a soldier, writes of his experiences in the various battles. The boarders are interesting people who lend humor to the daily conversations: the teacher who cannot hold her tongue, the widow who finds etiquette lacking in certain people, the shy, unmarried carpenter who finally surprises his friends, the Frenchman who harbors a secret, and the pretty seamstress who has escaped Boston for a quieter life. The prevalent difficulties for Merrie are the terrible jealous actions of Maggie Belrose, a former classmate, and the desire of her parents to send her away to an elite academy in Boston which means separation from Ethan. Ethan, out of necessity, has become the man of the household because his father drinks constantly, abuses his wife and children, and even threatens some of the townspeople. His life is a difficult one of dealing with his father and protecting his mother and sister. He looks forward to his visits with Merrie, her love and consolation providing him a sweet reprieve from a miserable life. Lester Morehouse's insanity and Maggie Belrose's unending jealousy shock the people of Sudbury, New Hampshire.